Agenda Item # 5
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
12/5/2017
Agenda Report # 57
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Purchase Authorization for Firefighter Cancer Insurance
INITIATED BY: Anne-Marie Amiel
Recommendation: It is requested that Council approve the purchase of
legislatively required cancer insurance for Firefighters in the amount of
$73,848 per annum, such rate to be guaranteed for a period of three years.
Background: In the course of its 2017 legislative session, the Georgia
legislature passed HB 146, which amended Chapter 85 of Title 36 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated. This provision requires employers to provide all
active Firefighters in the State of Georgia with benefits for any form of
cancer with which they may be diagnosed, whether work-related or not. Included
in the provisions are specific payments for early and advanced stages of
cancer, as well as income benefits. Those benefits are as follows:
? Firefighters who contract cancer can receive a critical illness (lump sum)
benefit in the amount of either $25,000 or $6,250, depending on the severity of
the cancer. This benefit is payable at the time of the diagnosis.
? Firefighters diagnosed with cancer will also receive a disability benefit
equal to 60% of their total salary as a paid firefighter, or $5,000 a month,
whichever is less.
? The disability benefit may last up to 36 months and is subject to a six month
waiting period from the time when it is determined that a firefighter can no
longer perform the duties of his position.
? To be eligible for either benefit, the firefighter must have been employed
with the department for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to the time of
diagnosis.
The effective date of this legislation is January 1, 2018.
Financial Considerations: Due to the unique nature of the requirements under HB
146, there was no existing coverage offered at the time of the Bill?s passage.
CCG immediately initiated inquiries to obtain quotes for the required
coverage. Two quotes were submitted by early November:
Willis Towers Watson for GMA-GIRMA (Hartford) = $75,712
Apex Insurance (Chubb) = $73,848
Both plans provided the required coverage with a three-year rate guarantee, and
both plans were offered by highly rated insurance companies.
Recommendation: Council is requested to approve the purchase of coverage at
the lower of the two quotes, that submitted by Chubb, in the amount of
$73,848. Funds are available FY18 Budget: Risk Management - Income/Insurance
Coverage ? FFIN - Firefighter Income/Cancer Insurance Policy:
0860-220-3340-6615.
A RESOLUTION
NO.________
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED CANCER BENEFIT
COVERAGE FOR ACTIVE FIREFIGHTERS, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2018.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Legislature approved the passage of HB 146, requiring
employers to provide cancer benefits for active firefighters employed for a
minimum of 12 months immediately preceding a diagnosis of any form of cancer;
and
WHEREAS, a quote for $73,848 was received from the Chubb Insurance Company to
provide all the required benefits, such rate being guaranteed for a period of
three years;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the Risk Manager and Finance Director are hereby authorized to enter into
an insurance contract with Chubb to provide firefighter cancer benefit
coverage. Funds are available in the FY18 Budget: Risk Management ?
Income/Insurance Coverage ? FFIN ? Firefighter Income/Cancer Insurance Policy:
0860-220-3340-6615.
___________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
5th day of December, 2017 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote
of _________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
Attachments
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